Being in the ministry now for over 3 decades has given me many opportunities to observe the Bible in action in the lives of people and helps me to speak on the subject above. I have had the joy and the sadness of watching both success and failure in the lives of people. I say without fear of contradiction, all failure in the Christian life is directly related to the subject at hand. We are never stronger in our Christian life than we are when our faith is growing as we meet the challenges of life while walking with the Lord. There are some indisputable facts of failure and some undeniable facts of success in the Christian life. My primary goal in ministry is the salvation of souls…and secondarily, equipping saints to succeed. “I would rather you be a saved failure than a lost success.” LLH That does not mean I focus all my attention on soul-winning and evangelism. I know that if I can equip the saints, they can and will evangelize the lost.

Look at 2 Thess. 1:1-4 and notice v.3 Growing faith is the bedrock of a stable and successful Christian life. 1 Peter 5:8-11 should be read and notice: “Make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” That can only happen when faith is growing exceedingly. Back in 1 Thess. 1:3, Paul remembered “without ceasing your work of faith.” In 4:10 he expressed a desire that they would “increase more and more.” In chapter 3:7-10 Paul had a desire to see their face and “perfect that which is lacking in your faith.” Paul knew that if something was lacking in their faith, something would be lacking in their lives. Faith is an indispensable essential for salvation, for grace, for service, for prayer power, for forgiveness.

Now a few simple thoughts on how faith grows exceedingly:

Faith grows exceedingly when it is fed the Word of God. Faith grows on God’s promises! Acts 27:25; Heb. 11:6

Faith grows exceedingly when it is exercised. We have to use it to see it increase. We cultivate faith. 1 Thess. 1:3

Faith grows exceedingly when it is multiplied. Encourage someone else’s faith and it multiplies. Thank God for those who have encouraged my faith over the years. The persons you encourage today may be the ones who encourage you tomorrow.

Faith grows exceedingly when it is in the Lord , not in self. Four times we are told, “The just shall live by faith.” If God said it one time, it would be enough, but He said it four times! This aspect of the Christian life is so essential God repeated it several times.

If you faith is not growing, you are not feeding it, not using it, or misappropriating it! Without it, it is impossible to please God.

If your faith is not growing exceedingly, it is because you are not applying the Word of God to your life and seeing God work mightily in you and through you. “Faith grows in the soil of full commitment.” LLH